What do I care for wine, with thoughts of you in my mind? Ghazal 29 by Hafez

What do I care for wine, with thoughts of you in my mind? Ghazal 29 by Hafez

By @hamed on July 31, 2024

What do I care for wine, with thoughts of you in my mind? Ghazal 29 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

ما را زِ خیالِ تو چه پروایِ شراب است؟

خُم گو سر خود گیر، که خُمخانه خراب است

***

گر خَمر بهشت است بریزید که بی دوست

هر شَربَتِ عَذبَم که دهی، عینِ عذاب است

***

افسوس که شُد دلبر و در دیدهٔ گریان

تحریرِ خیالِ خطِ او نقشِ بر آب است

***

بیدار شو ای دیده که ایمن نتوان بود

زین سیلِ دمادم که در این منزلِ خواب است

***

معشوق عیان می‌گذرد بر تو، ولیکن

اغیار همی‌بیند از آن بسته نقاب است

***

گل بر رخِ رنگین تو تا لطفِ عرق دید

در آتشِ شوق از غمِ دل، غرقِ گلاب است

***

سبز است در و دشت بیا تا نگذاریم

دست از سرِ آبی که جهان جمله سراب است

***

در کُنجِ دِماغم مطلب جای نصیحت

کـ‌این گوشه پر از زمزمهٔ چنگ و رَباب است

***

حافظ چه شد ار عاشق و رند است و نظرباز

بس طُورِ عجب لازمِ ایامِ شباب است

***


Description:

English Translation

What do I care for wine, with thoughts of you in my mind?
Let the wine jar keep its head, for the tavern is in ruins.

If it's heavenly wine, pour it out, for without my beloved
Every sweet drink you give me is pure torment.

Alas, the beloved has gone, and in the tearful eye,
The image of her line is a drawing on water.

Wake up, O eye, for there is no safety
From this constant flood that is in this house of sleep.

The beloved passes visibly before you, but
Strangers see only a veiled face.

When the rose saw the grace of sweat on your colorful cheek,
It was drowned in rosewater from the fire of longing in its heart.

Come, let's go to the green fields and gardens, so that we don't let go
Of the water, which the whole world is an illusion.

Seek a place for advice in the corner of my nose,
For this corner is full of the murmur of the lute and the rabāb.

What if Hafez is a lover, a rogue, and a gazer?
Many strange things are necessary in the days of youth.


hamed
@hamed July 31, 2024, 1:16 p.m.

A Brief Explanation of the Translation

Longing for the Beloved: The poem is a passionate expression of longing for a beloved.
The Power of Love: The poem emphasizes the transformative power of love and how it can overshadow worldly pleasures.
Spiritual Journey: The poem can be interpreted as a spiritual journey, with the beloved symbolizing a higher power or divine love.

hamed
@hamed July 31, 2024, 1:16 p.m.

Key Themes:

Love and Devotion: The poet expresses deep devotion to his beloved.
The Transient Nature of Life: The poem emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and worldly pleasures.
Spiritual Ecstasy: The poet experiences a state of spiritual intoxication or enlightenment.

hamed
@hamed July 31, 2024, 1:16 p.m.

Some key Persian words and their nuances that are difficult to fully capture in English:

خُم: Wine jar.
عذاب: Torment.
نقاب: Veil.
رقص: Dance.
رباب: A type of stringed instrument.